Abu Lubabah – The Column of Repentance

Abu Lubabah b. Abdul Munzir was a companion from the Aws tribe of Medina. The following incident during the siege of the Banu Qurayza Jews engraved this column in history: The Banu Qurayza, wanting to learn how the Prophet would treat them if they surrendered, involved their former allies, the Aws. The Prophet sent Abu Lubabah as an envoy to the Banu Qurayza. When the Jews asked, "What will happen to us if we surrender?" Abu Lubabah instinctively indicated with his hand to his neck, implying that the verdict would be death. He immediately realized what he had done and was filled with distress: he had betrayed his loyalty to the Prophet; he had given secret information to the Jews. Filled with deep sorrow from his regret, he went straight to the Prophet's Mosque and said, "I will not leave here until Allah accepts my repentance," and tied himself to this column. The Prophet said, "If he had come to me, I would have prayed for him; since he has sought refuge in Allah, let him wait for Allah's forgiveness." Abu Lubabah remained tied to this column for six days; his wife would come to untie him for prayer times and essential needs. On the morning of the sixth day, while the Prophet was praying the night prayer at Umm Salamah's house, the 102nd verse of Surah At-Tawbah was revealed: "Others confessed their sins; they mixed a good deed with another evil. It is hoped that Allah will accept their repentance." Umm Salamah brought the good news; the Prophet personally untied Abu Lubabah's ropes. [Source: "Abu Lubabah", TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/ebu-lubabe; Diyanet News, Columns in the Sacred Garden]